20 Designers Share the Kitchen Cabinet Color That Will Define 2026

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What's on the horizon for 2026? In Design Psychic, our community of editors, experts, and tastemakers forecasts the trends destined for the homes around you.

You'd be hard-pressed to find a designer repeating the same upholstery fabric or shower tile from one project to the next. Every home demands its own tailored material palette. But that doesn't mean the professionals aren't tuned in to the colors gathering momentum—especially when it comes to the hardest-working room in the house. Each year, we survey interior designers on the kitchen cabinet shade they believe will be the next breakout star. It turns out, their answers converged in striking ways. Here's exactly which hues the pros say will define kitchens in 2026.

I'm anticipating a wave of deep neutrals in kitchen renovations this coming year. Think mushroom-toned palettes and warm walnut stains. These shades let homeowners make a bold, distinctive statement without committing to the risk of saturated, gem-toned cabinetry.–Galey Alix, founder ofGaley Alix Design

I see rich, grounded, and earthy tones on the rise, along with subtle greens. Think Farrow and Ball's French Gray paired with Mouse's Back.—Alexandra Azat, founder ofPlaster and Patina

I've recently been drawn to Cromarty by Farrow & Ball. It's a subtle sage green that pairs effortlessly with a creamy white wall. It's understated yet unmistakable. For anyone drawn to a cottagecore aesthetic, this is the quintessential "Cotswolds" green.–Chloe Legras, creator ofBoxwood Avenue

In 2026, we expect kitchens will continue moving beyond bright white and into soulful, grounded tones such as sage, clay, and warm wood. These hues layer depth and emotion into a space, reflecting the broader shift from sterile perfection toward authenticity and character.—Claire O'Connor, cofounder ofO'Connor Estates

I'm drawn to mossy charcoal, mineral greens, and warm bone shades with depth and patina. These colors feel as though they've been weathered by the natural world.–Anu Jain, founder ofAtelier Oleana

Red has been a force in design for the last couple of years, and while it hasn't fully infiltrated kitchens yet, I think 2026 is the moment. I'm captivated by the idea of a deep red or maroon kitchen. I just painted a room in Sommelier by Sherwin-Williams and think it would be extraordinary on cabinetry.—Drew Michael Scott, founder ofLone Fox

Deep taupes, putty, and earthy shades possess a timeless quality that still feels fresh. We also love a deeper tonal palette that stays rooted—warm wood cabinetry, deep burgundy, and rich brown. They introduce atmosphere without shouting and pair exquisitely with natural stone.—Amanda Leigh, cofounder ofHouse of Rolison

My prediction: deep reds, burgundies, and rich dark woods like walnut and smoked oak will dominate 2026. After years of white and pale oak, homeowners are craving kitchens with soul and theatricality. —Sarah Tract, founder and principal designer ofSarah Tract Interiors

Rich, earthy color is the new neutral. A wine-toned plum feels warm, contemporary, and unapologetically expressive.–Barrett Cooke, cofounder and principal designer ofArterberry Cooke

We're designing a full merlot kitchen for a project in Kentucky. With its long, narrow footprint, it felt like the ideal space to envelop the room in color and do something unexpected. Older historic homes seem to invite bolder cabinetry choices like this.–Ghislaine Viñas, founder ofGhislaine Viñas

I think we'll see a decisive shift toward deeper, moodier hues replacing all-white kitchens. Rich forest greens, deep navies, and layered maroon or wine tones bring sophistication and grounding, and they harmonize beautifully with natural wood accents.–Mimi Meacham, founder and principal designer ofMarian Louise Design

Expect to see more earth-inspired tones, whether soft tans that merge with the wall color or bolder shades like earthy greens, black-currant reds, and deep, slate blues.–Sarah Randolph, principal designer ofRandolph Interior Design

Feel-good palettes with a hint of 1970s nostalgia are definitely ascending. I'm especially drawn to deep, moody shades like Sherwin-Williams' Dard Hunter Green.–Annie Obermann, cofounder and principal designer ofForge & Bow

We're moving beyond flat, painted finishes and toward warm, tonal stains that let the wood's natural character take center stage. Think white oak with a driftwood wash, rift-cut walnut with subtle bronze undertones, or cerused finishes that emphasize the grain's movement.—Kimberly Oxford, founder ofKimberly Oxford Interiors

You cannot go wrong with stained woods, and mid-tone stains with warm honey notes are definitely re-emerging. A single finish can feel heavy, so we prefer to intermix a medium or darker stain with warmer buttery whites for a considered contrast.—Evan Krenzien, cofounder ofShane & Pierce

After years of warmth dominating kitchen palettes, I think powder blue hues are on the horizon. It's an enduring shade that pairs elegantly with rich wood tones and both cool chrome and raw brass finishes. Powder blue also layers beautifully with chocolate brown—a combination we'll be exploring in our own project work this year. Benjamin Moore's Gentle Gray is a favorite nuanced variation.—Liz Hoekzema, cofounder ofKLH Custom Homes

Dark chocolate brown functions as a neutral (and I adore a neutral). It plays gracefully with other tones and nods to the heritage of classic timber kitchens.—Leanne Kilroy, creator ofGood Bones

We've been living in a quiet luxury moment for some time now. In 2026, I believe it'll shift toward quiet richness. I predict cabinets will lean into rich taupes, browns, and muted colors with genuine depth.–Gabriela Eisenhart, founder and creative director ofSilo Studio Design

As we transition away from stark white kitchens, cabinet colors are drifting toward creams, off-whites, and greige tones rather than pure white. Bold shades like deep blue and dusty rose will also gain traction in 2026, and we'll see more kitchens mixing materials—painted cabinets alongside wood grain.–Karin Bohn, founder and creative director ofHouse of Bohn

I think a timeless white kitchen will always prevail regardless of trends or seasons; warm whites like Farrow & Ball's Wimborne White is a personal favorite. I also think buttery yellow is on its way back. —Ariel Okin, founder ofAriel Okin Interiors

Lydia Geisel has been on the editorial team at Domino since 2017. Today, she writes and edits home and renovation stories, including house tours, before and afters, and DIYs, and leads our design news coverage. She lives in New York City.

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